My apologies, my apologies! I haven’t updated in the longest time but you have to forgive me if I have to attend to the little people who amuse me outside this blogosphere. I was in Kadayawan last week having fun and was very, very busy getting – shall we say – intoxicated by the festival high. Of course, I watched Up Dharma Down up at Jack’s ridge, as if seeing them once wasn’t enough to make me happy. But I do say kudos to the opening acts, especially The Chicha Rones. They’re a bunch of kids from Ateneo de Davao. And hey, I’m plugging for the sake of plugging because they are pretty good. At this point though, I can only say that I’d love to see more originals from them.

And while I’m on that note, what is up with Go Larry Go lately? I haven’t seen them around, at least not as frequent as before. (PLUS, they ditched the UDD gig!) Way back, they did an opening act for Urbandub at Orange Grove which I felt was one of the best underground gigs that had ever taken place in Davao. I miss False Alarm, too. (Nax and his career, sheesh.) And where are you Nadine si Ate? To the vocalist: Bryan, is law school really sucking you in to that vortex of the serious?

I can’t put my finger on it but the rock scene in Davao is pretty immense if we give them enough credit. I’m reluctant to admit that Manila music is a valid subgenre given as to how it does have a distinct sound that just screams Manilacentricism. Because it makes me think: what about Davao music? Do we have a distinct voice to begin with? I just think Cynthia Alexander or Joey Ayala when I hear the word Davao and attach it to the whole music + geography idea. Inasmuch as there was an appreciable attempt from Eric Gancio to establish a community of Davao musical artists, I haven’t felt its waves yet. Show us some love people! Support the natives.

Kids, any gigs lately?

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I’m re-appreciating the Cardigans.

If you want me, I’m your country. (From their 2003 album, Long Gone Before Daylight – You’re the storm)

Inter-racial much?

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I’ll be leaving for Butuan this weekend, and I believe that’ll close the entire deal about my being busy. Afterwhich, perhaps I can shift my priorities to…say that band I was yapping about. I’m not sure if I still have his contact number.

But damn, my fingers are itchy.